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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 14:47:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 . . . naturally I'll be very careful around any wood . . . <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, careful around your wood Peter . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Wish I could use it tonight but we have storms in the area, pretty much hoping the race is canceled tonight.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2011 : 18:58:52

Just came in from doing the spring powerwash. This post confirms that our washer is 2300 PSI and has a 5 hp honda on it. As long as there is good cetol on teh wood, it can take a passing hit from teh powerwasher, but if it is bare wood, or a sustained spray, it splinters. Also, the powerwasher forces teh water up and inside the boat via the poptop and anything with a marginal seal. It is a good way to find your leaks. Apparently I need to rebed my gauges.

Edited by - on

PCP777
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Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 08:19:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 Just came in from doing the spring powerwash. This post confirms that our washer is 2300 PSI and has a 5 hp honda on it. As long as there is good cetol on teh wood, it can take a passing hit from teh powerwasher, but if it is bare wood, or a sustained spray, it splinters. Also, the powerwasher forces teh water up and inside the boat via the poptop and anything with a marginal seal. It is a good way to find your leaks. Apparently I need to rebed my gauges.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Meant to try it this weekend but got too busy sailing and cleaning the inside of the boat. Will try it Wednesday.

Edited by - on

jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 14:45:23

A good friend told me that pressure washing his wood deck drove water into the wood and caused it to rot when it was less than 2 years old. The one section that he didn't pressure wash did not rot.

Edited by - on

Prospector
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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 19:08:57

My dad also whined that by powerwashing he destroyed his deck. He borrowed my machine to do it, and now some 7 years later I am still hearing about it.

he did the deck with the needle spray tip on the highest pressure setting teh machine has. No wonder the wood splinter, adn he gave himself a bruise when he absent-mindedly got his foot in thet path of the spray.

Back off the throttle and take a second pass if you want the same clean without the high PSI, water penetration and risk. Works for me. I have also tried powerwashing with hot water, makes a marginal difference but you empty teh water heater PDQ. And I find the chemicals to be a waste of money.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 19:13:43

Use the 15 or better yet the 30 degree fan tip when washing/cleaning wood. If the wood is a softer type then consider lowering the pressure too or move the tip farther from the surface. The zero degree tip will tear up any wood it hits.

Edited by - on

OJ
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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2012 : 20:01:41

I guess it's my turn to be in the market for a power washer - one with a Honda engine.

Any updated reviews, issues, recommendations?

Seems like Home Depot has carries a different brand every year. For them it's about margin - not quality. I won't be purchasing a power washer from them.

Edited by - OJ on 05/05/2012 20:15:17

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2012 : 20:23:47

The company I work for rents and sells new and used pressure washers. Mi-T-M makes a good product but they are more expensive than the units at HD or Lowes.

One of our stores bought a unit similar to this from Northen Tool to use on their wash rack. It's held up well for six years -->> http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350621_200350621

Check your local rental stores. Most sell their old rental units every 2 or 3 years. If you shop carefully you can get a unit that doesn't have excess wear and tear and at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Edited by - on

OJ
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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2012 : 21:01:06

Thanks Gary, but this professionally scripted video makes the decision a no-brainer!

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Karcher-G3050OH-BONUS-Pressure-Washer/p7096.html

I donno, if you want one of the best chainsaws made - you buy a Stihl. I'd buy another Honda lawnmower without hesitation . . . another Yamaha outboard - you betcha. There doesn't really seem to be a clear front-runner for a "homeowner grade" power washer.

In reviews Karcher - gets trashed, Excell - gets trashed. May end up not buying one at all.

Edited by - OJ on 05/06/2012 08:33:44

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 09:05:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Karcher-G3050OH-BONUS-Pressure-Washer/p7096.html<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, I... ummmm... got a.... ummmmm... you know... ummm... headache... from... ummm... watching him... ummm... unbox... and... ummm... not use his... ummm... machine...

Great... ummmm... review.

Edited by - on

GaryB
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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 09:21:28

OJ, I totally understand your point. I've owned a Honda lawnmower and currently have a Honda generator. Can't beat them.

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to sell anyone anything. Just trying to throw out some facts to think about. Everything I've heard about Karcher and Excell is not good.

The reason I mentioned buying a used commercial grade washer is because if you shop carefully you can pick up one with plenty of 'homeowner" life left in it for about the same price as a new unit from one of the brands mentioned above. Almost all of the commercial grade units come with a Honda engine because they are bullet proof.

One thing to keep in mind while shopping. Pressure is only one part of the equation. The gpm the pump puts out is as important as or possibly more important than the pressure. I'd rather have a unit that puts out 4 gpm at 2500 psi over a unit that puts out 3000 psi at 2.5 gpm. The additional gpm's allow you to get more work done in less time.

To me the ideal unit is 3000 psi and 4-4.5 gpm. Plenty of power and volume to get the job done quickly. Having the extra power allows you to reduce the throttle and lower the pressure if you have a more delicate project.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Edited by - on

GaryB
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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 09:25:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Karcher-G3050OH-BONUS-Pressure-Washer/p7096.html<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, I... ummmm... got a.... ummmmm... you know... ummm... headache... from... ummm... watching him... ummm... unbox... and... ummm... not use his... ummm... machine...

Great... ummmm... review.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I can't believe a company would put something like that on their website! Unless of course he's the owner of the company which would not give me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/06/2012 09:26:19

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 16:32:24

Edited by - on

OJ
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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 16:41:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Just to be clear, I'm not trying to sell anyone anything . . . Just my 2 cents worth.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I know Gary - and I appreciate all the info (and the time it took to post it.) I will definitely remember GPM is also key. Seems like some manufacturers use the Honda name just to get your attention - while their pump may not be of equal quality.

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 18:45:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Just to be clear, I'm not trying to sell anyone anything . . . Just my 2 cents worth.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">... while their pump may not be of equal quality.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Another good point.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2012 : 19:53:23

I love Honda products. My Honda mower lasted over 25 years, and I replaced it with another Honda. I hear that Honda generators are great. The thing that makes these worth the expense is that they're engineered from the ground up and manufactured by Honda. Pressure washers ... eh .. not so much. Many consumer-grade companies have two versions of their washers, one with B&S motor and another otherwise identical one but with a (typically less powerful) Honda motor for ~$100 more. As someone else pointed out, this is often poor investment because the pump will likely fail long before the motor.

The other consideration is how often you are actually going to use it. I use a mower every week, so I'll pay whatever it takes for good quality that makes the job easier. But I only use a pressure washer 1-2 times a year. I had borrowed a friend's Sears washer ~5 times and was embarrassed to ask again. I also tried renting a pressure washer once and had to return it because it malfunctioned, meanwhile all the slime on my boat dried on, making it a much tougher job, so I said I'd never rent again. I decided to buy so that I'd always have a well cared-for unit ready to go as soon as the boat comes out of the water. I bought a 3000 psi/2.7 GPM one at Sears with a B&S motor.

A few notes:
<ul>
<li>Never use the pinpoint nozzle. You will regret the damage it does.
</li>
<li>Most of the new Sears units have automatic choke and automatic throttle. It idles when you close the wand, and throttles up when you open the wand. There is no adjustment. Their website shows a lot of complaints about not starting when it is warmed up, but it worked fine for me as long as I let it idle for a minute before shutting off (as the instructions say to do). RTFM.
</li>
<li>Most units that I have seen say not to use more than 50' of hose. Exceeding this causes insufficient water flow and can therefore lead to pump damage. RTFM.
</li>
<li>I've seen others here suggest running at less than full throttle. Even if my washer had an adjustable throttle, I am not sure what benefit it would provide. If you use a fan shape nozzle (as you should), pulling the nozzle away from the work will reduce the pressure and also give you a wider cleaning area, resulting in much faster work. So you start far back from the work, gradually moving closer until you have just enough power to remove what you want to remove without damaging the area, and don't go any closer. I've never had a time where I would want to reduce power - instead I always back off and get faster results cleaning a larger area. It's very frustrating to remove only a 1" strip at a time - much nicer to have higher power and remove 4-6" at a time.</li>
<li>My only marine application of the pressure washer is removing slime from the bottom. I have no interest in using it to clean the topsides of the boat. For a boat this small, a scrub brush and detergent is much easier than hauling a pressure washer to the boat. However, the pressure washer is much better ergonomics for the bottom than a scrub brush, with slime-laden water running down my shirtsleeve while I reach up from underneath.

</li>
</ul>

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/06/2012 19:57:33

OJ
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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2013 : 16:35:38

Needed a pressure washer (in a hurry) a couple of weeks back. After reading the reviews (and even though I am a big Honda fan) I ended up with this.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Images/Generac-6022-Pressure-Washer/i6545.html

I am very pleased and it has plenty of power for cleaning the bottom of the boat.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2013 : 21:12:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Needed a pressure washer (in a hurry) a couple of weeks back. After reading the reviews (and even though I am a big Honda fan) I ended up with this.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Images/Generac-6022-Pressure-Washer/i6545.html

I am very pleased and it has plenty of power for cleaning the bottom of the boat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Looks like a good one for the money.

I was just thinking of this thread recently, since I used my washer after haulout. After getting the slime off, I had some extra time so I went up and washed the non-skid areas of my boat. I was pleasantly surprised at the results. It got them really clean, very easily. I would still use a scrub brush and Star Brite Non-Skid cleaner during the season, since it would be such a pain to haul out the pressure washer onto the dock, but for those times when I have the pressure washer out for a bottom job, I'm going to start doing the topsides also.

Edited by - TakeFive on 11/02/2013 21:39:46

pastmember
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Response Posted - 11/03/2013 : 08:00:26

Bottom line is a POWER washer has to be gas, I bought an electric and took it back because it would not do the bottom well. I see people using them on their decks and that might be ok but gas with a tip selection is the ticket.

Edited by - pastmember on 11/03/2013 08:28:19

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2013 : 08:31:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 Bottom line is a POWER washer has to be gas, people using electrics are deluding themselves.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I would agree with this if you're power washing your hull upon haul out. However, a small electric pressure washer is pretty handy for taking off the accumulation of grime on SL's topsides. Granted, it doesn't do as nice a job as a gas powered one, but as Rick noted above, I don't have to lug the gas one anywhere. In fact our marina provides the small electric one I use to wash down the topsides.

If I really-really need a gas powered one, I sort of own a Honda pressure washer, but a friend uses it constantly for house painting jobs, so he's the defacto owner (he paid for it, but claims it's actually mine, it's kinda complicated, but it works).

Edited by - delliottg on 11/03/2013 10:29:48

GaryB
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4304 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2013 : 09:10:44

While the pressure does part of the work the GPM of the pump is what makes it happen faster. The more GPM for a given pressure the faster the work will get done.

A 3000 PSI washer with a flow of 3 GPM will not clean as fast as one with 4.5 GPM.

Many of the electric washers are lower PSI (1500-2000 PSI) and have flow rates around 1.5 - 2 GPM which is why they take so long to clean.

Edited by - on

OJ
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Response Posted - 11/03/2013 : 09:47:17

The salesman kept stressing that I was purchasing a residential grade power washer. He intentionally went a little overboard to explain that I shouldn't leave the unit pressurized when the unit wasn't running and not to exceed 1 hour of run time - then shut it off and let the pump cool down. He said it will last a lifetime.

I bought it to wash the mud off the tracks of a Bobcat skid-loader. The delivery guy said he'd never seen such clean tracks except on a new machine!

On the boat, we got the tip a little too close to the bottom paint (like 15") in a couple of small areas - and took the paint off. But it is still way cleaner that using one of those $19.95 wands.

Edited by - OJ on 11/03/2013 10:04:34

GaryB
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Response Posted - 11/03/2013 : 15:15:16

I'm not saying the rep was blowing smoke but some of the reasoning he gave you seems a little strange. I'm not suggesting you ignore what he told you, you should follow his advice just to make sure you don't have any warranty issues.

I would like to give you a little more info to work with. While it may damage the pump or the un-loader valve if you leave pressure on it when it's not running, the main reason I see for for relieving the pressure when the engine isn't running is it is a MAJOR safety issue. If someone comes along and picks up the wand and pulls the trigger with any part of their body or someone elses in front of the tip the water can be injected under the skin with a high likely-hood of getting a serious infection or even gangrene.

While it's more likely to happen when it's not running because most people want to stick their hand in front of the nozzle to see if the water is on, it can also happen when it is running.

Never put any part of your body in front if the nozzle at any time! It's best to treat it like a gun! Most wands have a trigger lock that I highly recommend you use every time you lay the wand down!!!

We had an employee who was well trained on how to operate pressure washers that had a lapse of judgement one day and ended up injecting water into one of his fingers. He was immediately take to the hospital where surgery was done in which they had to cut his finger open from the tip to the palm to clean out the water and debris. He ended up losing 1/2 of his finger because his finger got infected and it developed into gangrene. He was off the job I believe for almost a month.

All of the above also applies to any of the airless paint rigs.

Seems odd to shut the unit off after an hour to let the pump cool down. The pumps are usually cooled by the oil in the crankcase and the water flowing through it. As long as it has oil and water flowing it shouldn't get any hotter after an hour than it would after 10 minutes.

Like I said above, do what the rep said, just keep the other info in the back of your mind.

Edited by - GaryB on 11/03/2013 15:18:47

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2013 : 09:23:34

I have a Husky brand, 1650 psi electric, that must be close yo 10 years old and still pumps water very well.
It's been a good machine. Here's one like mine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Husky-1650-psi-Residental-Power-Washer-/151140492457?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

Edited by - dmpilc on 11/07/2013 09:27:13

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